Cartoned merchandise vending machine



Oct. 25, 1960 H. G. nuBols 2,957,603

, CARTONED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 RNEY /OOv A Oct. 25, 1960 H. G. DuBois 2,957,603

CARTONED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 INVENTOR HARRY 6. 0050/5 Y @am (56 446 H8 AT RNEY Oct. 25, 1960 H. G. DUBOIS 2,957,603

CARTONED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 .l INVENTOR HRRY 6. 0050/5 PTE 4L L3M A ORNEY Oct.l 25, 1960 H. G. DUBOIS cARToNED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 22, 1955 INVENTOR /AQQY G. DuBo/S BY/Mqgmm ATTO R N EY United States Patent Glice j 2,957,503 Patented Oct. 25, 1960 CARTNED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Harry G. Du Bois, Dover, NJ., assignor to Rowe Manufacturing Co., Inc., Whippany, NJ., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 22, 1955, Ser. No. 548,428

3 Claims. (Cl 221-11) My invention relates to an improved cartoned merchandise vending machine and more particularly to an improved cartoned merchandise vending machine having a large capacity for dispensing fragile cartoned merchandise.

Machines are known in the prior art for dispensing various kinds of merchandise. Some of the these machines are adapted to dispense cartoned merchandise. In order 'to provide these machines of the prior art with a suciently large capacity, a number of mechandise units are disposed one over the other at various levels in the machine. Upon an operation of a unit it dumps or pushes a carton of mechandise into a delivery chute through which it falls to a delivery tray made accessible to the customer. While this arrangement of units at various levels is satisfactory for dispensing many kinds of merchandise, it is not a practical arrangement where the cartoned merchandise is fragile. For example, where merchandise, such as cartoned eggs, is to be dispensed, a fall from a high level of the machine to the delivery tray would occasion a shock which would break many of the eggs. A single-level machine of the type known in the prior art could be constructed with the level arranged immediately adjacent the discharge opening of the machine. Such a machine could, however, have such a limited capacity as to be impractical.

I have invented an improved cartoned merchandise vending machine having a large capacity for dispensing fragile cartoned merchandise. My machine dispenses a large quantity of fragile merchandise without damaging it in delivery. It is simple in construction and certain in operation.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved cartoned merchandise vending machine for dispensing fragile cartoned merchandise without damaging the merchandise in delivery.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved cartoned merchandise vending machine having a large capacity.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved cartoned merchandise vending machine which is simple in construction and certain in operation.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

In general, my invention contemplates the provision of an improved cartoned merchandise vending machine including a pair of vertical storage conveyors for supporting between them a plurality of respective supplies of cartoned merchandise adapted to be successivelydispensed. I dispose a delivery conveyor adjacent the lower ends of said storage conveyors for receiving a supply of cartoned merchandise from the storage conveyors. Drive means responsive to the deposit in the machine of coins aggregating the purchase price of a carton of merchandise drives the delivery conveyor to deliver a carton of merchandise to a delivery tray accessible to the customer. I provide means operative each time the supply of merchandise on the delivery conveyor is exhausted for successively driving said storage conveyors to deposit a fresh supply of merchandise on said delivery conveyor until the storage conveyors are depleted of merchandise.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various Views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved cartoned merchandise vending machine.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a unit of my improved cartoned merchandise vending machine, drawn on an enlarged scale and taken along the line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional View of a unit of my improved cartoned merchandise vending machine, taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a unit of my improved cartoned merchandise vending machine, taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is, a fragmentary view of the empty signal operating means of my improved cartoned merchandise vending machine, with parts in section and with other parts broken away, drawn on an enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of one form of electrical control circuit which may be used with my improved cartoned merchandise vending machine.

More particularly referring now to Figure l of the drawings, my improved cartoned merchandise vending machine may be housed in a cabinet, indicated generally by the reference character 10, mounted on a base 12. I mount a pair of identical units, each of which is indicated generally by the reference character 14, side by side within cabinet 10 on a platform 16 supported by the cabinet. Platform 16 is provided with an opening 18 through which each of the units 14 is adapted to dispense cartons of merchandise to a delivery tray 20. Stretched coil springs 22 supported in any convenient manner from the cabinet extend from front to back of the tray 20 below units 14 to intercept cartons of merchandise dispensed from the units. These springs direct dispensed cartons toward the center of tray 20. The ends of tray 20 are free and rest on brackets 24 carried by the sides of cabinet 10. It will be appreciated that this manner of supporting the tray on the cabinet permits the tray to ex and constitutes a flexible supporting means for the tray. I form tray 20 from thin, embossed sheet metal. Springs 22, together with tray 20, receive cartons of merchandise without shock to prevent damage to the merchandise being dispensed. A door 26 in the front of cabinet 10 provides access Ito tray 20. It is to be noted that units 14 are laterally offset from and disposed above tray 20 to prevent a dishonest person from obtaining a carton of merchandise by reaching in past door 26. Where the merchandise to be dispensed is perishable, I provide cabinet 10 with a refrigerating unit indicated generally by the reference character 28.

Since each of the units 14 and its associated coin mechanism is the same, I will, for convenience, describe only one of the units in detail. Cabinet 10 carries a respective coin slot 30 adapted to direct coins to a respective coin register 32 associated with a unit 14. I provide respective coin return levers 34 and coin return slots 36 for the respective units 14. A respective empty signal light 38 is .associated with each unit 14.

More particularly referring now to Figures 2 to 4, each unit includes a frame formed by four upright corner members 40, 42, 44 and 46, joined at their upper ends by frame members 48, 50, 52 and 54, and at their lower ends by members 56, 58, 60 and 62. The upper and lower frame members may be secured to the corner members by spot welding, or the like.

Frame members 50 and 54, together with uprights 40 and 44, rotatably support, adjacent their left ends as,

viewed in Figures 2 and 3, a shaft 64, the central portion of which carries for rotation with it a conveyor drive member 66. Lower frame members 58 and 62, together with members 40 and 44, rotatably support a second shaft 68 which Vcarries for rotation with it a second conveyor support 70. Members 66 and 70 carry the rst storage conveyor, indicated generally by the reference character 72 of my machine.

Referring more particularly to Figure 5, my conveyor 72 is formed by a plurality of interlocked wires 74. Wires 74 form a exible mesh carried by support members 66 and 70. I mount a plurality of elongated, carton supporting shelves 76 at spaced locations along the length of conveyor 72. Hooks 78, xed to the undersides of the respective shelves 76, are hooked onto the conveyor 72 to secure the shelves to the conveyor. Upright flanges 80 on shelves 76 guide the cartons of merchandise and, together with the hooks 7S, prevent the shelves from becoming disengaged from the conveyor during their passage from bottom to top of the machine. Brackets S2 fixed to the respective shelves 76 by means such as rivets or pins S4 aid in positioning the shelves during their travel from top to bottom of the machine.

Adjacent their right ends as viewed in Figures 2 and 3, members 50 and 54, together with uprights 42 and 46, rotatably support a shaft 86 carrying for rotation with it the upper support 88 of the second storage conveyor, indicated generally by the reference character 90 of my machine. A shaft 92, rotatably supported by members 58 and 62, together with uprights 42 and 46, carries for rotation with it the lower support 94 for conveyor 90. Conveyor 90 is similar to conveyor 72, being formed of interlocked wires 74. At spaced locations along its length, conveyor 90 carries carton supporting shelves 76 identical with those carried by conveyor 72. In a manner which will be explained in detail hereinafter, I ensure that the shelves 76 carried by conveyor 90 are aligned with the shelves 76 carried by conveyor 72. Owing to this arrangement, each pair of aligned shelves 76 carried by the respective conveyors 72 and 90 is adapted to support between them a supply of cartons of merchandise. Respective drive motors 96 and 98 mounted adjacent the ends of member 54 provide means for driving shafts 64 and 86 to drive conveyors 72 and 90 to advance the supplies of cartons of merchandise carried by the pairs of shelves 76.

A pair of brackets 100 and 102 extending between members 58 and 62 and xed to the members by means such as welding rotatably support, adjacent the front of cabinet 10, a rst delivery conveyor shaft 104. Shaft 104 carries for rotation with it the front delivery conveyor support 106. Adjacent the rear of cabinet 10 brackets 100 and 102 rotatably support a second shaft 108 carrying for rotation with it the rear delivery conveyor support 110. Supports 106 and 110 carry the delivery conveyor, indicated generally by the reference character 112, of my machine. Flexible conveyor 112 is similar to conveyors 72 and 90, being formed of a'plurality of interlocked wires 74. An extended portion of shaft 104 carries for rotation with it a sprocket wheel 114. A motor 116 mounted by any convenient means on bracket 102 drives a shaft 118 carrying a sprocket wheel 120 for rotation with it. A chain 122 provides a driving engagement between sprocket wheels 114 and 120.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that each of my units 14 includes a pair of spaced vertically extending storage conveyors 72 and 90 carrying a plurality of pairs of shelves for supporting supplies of cartons of merchandise between them. A delivery conveyor 112 is positioned between the storage conveyors adjacent their lower ends. When motors 96 and 98 are energized to drive conveyors 72 and 90 to move the supplies of cartons downwardly in the direction of the arrows in Figure 3, a supply of cartons is deposited on conveyor 112. When motor 116 is energized to drive conveyor 112 forwardly in the direction of the arrows in Figure 2, a carton of merchandise is dispensed to the delivery tray 20.

I provide means responsive to the deposit of a sum in coins in the coin slot 30 for energizing motor 116 to advance conveyor 112 to deliver an article of merchandise to a customer. Referring now to Figure 6, one form of electrical circuit which may be used with a unit of my machine includes a pair of conductors 124 and 126 connected to the respective terminals 128 and 130 of a source of electrical energy. A normally closed empty switch 132 connects conductor 126 to a conductor 134. I connect the coin register 32 in series with a relay winding 136 between conductor 134 and conductor 124. I connect delivery motor 116 in series with a normally open switch 138 associated with winding 136 between conductors 134 and 124. As is known in the art, the circuit through coin register 32 is momentarily completed upon the deposit in the register of coins aggregating the purchase price of a carton of merchandise. When the circuit through register 32 is thus completed, winding 136 is energized momentarily to close switch 138 to lenergize motor `116. I connect a series holding circuit including a normally open switch 140 associated with winding 136 and a normally closed reset switch 142 shunted across coin register 32. When the circuit of register 32 is complete to energize winding 136, the winding closes switch 140 to complete its own holding circuit. The circuit of winding 136 remains complete until the normally closed reset switch 142 is opened.

Referring again to Figures 2 and 4, switch 142 is mounted on member 62 adjacent the path of a carton of merchandise being dispensed. As the carton moves off the conveyor 112, it engages an arm 143 of switch 142 to open the switch to interrupt the holding circuit of winding 136 to permit switch 138 to open to interrupt the circuit of motor 116. It will be seen that, after the deposit in register 32 of coins aggregating the purchase price of an article of merchandise, motor 116 is energized and remains energized until a dispensed carton opens reset switch 142 to stop the motor.

I provide means for energizing motors 96 and 98 to deposit a fresh supply of cartons on the delivery conveyor 112 when the supply on the conveyor is exhausted. Referring to Figures 2 to 4, I mount respective replenishing switches indicated generally by reference characters 144 and 146 by any convenient means on brackets 100 and 102. Referring again to Figure 6, each of the switches 144 and 146 includes an arm 148 and a contact normally engaged by the arm. Referring again to Figures 2 to 4, I provide respective resilientV actuating arms 152 and 154 associated with switches 144 and 146. Normally, the carton furthest forward on conveyor 112 rests on arms 152 and 154 to actuate the switches 144 and 146 to move arms 148 out of engagement with contacts 150. When a carton is dispensed from conveyor 112 it passes over arms 152 and 154, which tend to free themselves. Before the arms can be freed, however, they are engaged by the advancing carton following the one being dispensed. This succeeding carton holds the arms 148 out of engagement with contacts 150. When the last carton has been dispensed from conveyor 112, arms 152 and 154 are freed and switch arms 148 engage contacts 150, which they are biased to do.

A common conductor 156 connects contacts 150 to conductor 134. I connect the respective aims 148 of switches '144 and 146 in series with respective relay windings 158 and 160 to conductor 124. When an arm 148 of a switch 144 or 146 engages its contact 150, it completes the circuit of the associated winding 158 or 160 to energize the winding. Energization of winding 158 closes a normally open switch 162 connected in series with storage motor 96 between conductors 124 and 134. Similarly, energization of winding 160 closes a normally open switch 164 connected in series with motor 98 between conductors 124 and 134. I connect a normally open switch 166 responsive to the energization of winding 158 and a normally closed carry-over switch 170 in series between arm`148 of switch 144 and conductor 134. When winding 158 is energized, switch 166closes to complete a holding circuit for winding 1'58 through 'switch 170. I connect a normally open switch 168 responsive to the energization of winding 160 and a normally closed carry-over switch 172 in series between the arm 148 of switch `146 and conductor 134. When winding 160 is energized, switch L168 closes `to complete a holding circuit for winding 160 through the carry-over switch 172. It is to be noted that the respective holding circuits closed by switches 166 and 168 maintain the circuits of the respective storage conveyor drive means after switches 144 and 146 open owing to the deposit of a new supply of cartons on conveyor 112. These holding circuits rc main complete until the carry-over switches 170 and 172 are opened.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, shafts 64 and 68 support a pair of angle brackets 176 and y178 disposed at the sides of members 66 and 70. Shafts 86 and 92 support 'a similar pair of brackets 180 a'nd 181. Brackets 176, 178, l180 and 181 guide the storage vconveyors 72 and 90. c l

I mount switches 170 and '172 by any convenient means on the respective brackets 176 and 180. Each switch includes an actuatingarm 182 adapted to be engaged by the shelves 76 in their travel from bottom 'to top of a unit 14. As has been explained hereinabove, switches 170 and 172 are normally closed. When a shelf 76 engages an arm 182 the corresponding switch 170 or 172 opens. I I c As has been explained hereinabove, when the supply of cartons on conveyor 112 is exhausted so that no 'carton rests on arms 152 and 154, arms 148 engage contacts 150. At this time a shelf 76 engages the arms 1-82 and switches 170 and 172 are open. In this condition of my machine the circuits of windings 158 and 160 are complete through the respective switches 144 and 146 to 'complete the circuits of the respective motors 96 and 98 through switches 162 and 164. As the motors begin to rotate, the shelf leaves arms 182 to permit switches 170 and 172 to close to complete the holding circuits through switches 166 and 168. With both motors 96 and 98 energized, conveyors 72 and 90 move in the direction of the arrows in Figure 3 to deposit a new supply of cartons on conveyor 112. As the new supply approaches the delivery conveyor 112, it engages arms 152 and 154 to open switches 144 and 146. It is to be noted that this does not affect the holding circuits for windings 158 and 160, with the result that the circuits of motors 96 and 98 remain complete.

I so position switches 170 and 172 that the arms 182 are engaged by respective shelves 76 of the conveyors 72 and 90 when the pair of shelves which carried the supply of cartons deposited on conveyor 112 have traveled a predetermined distance below the upper surface of conveyor 112. When arms 182 are actuated they open switches 170 and 172 to interrupt the holding circuits for windings 158 and 160 to open the circuits of drive motors 96 and 98. This arrangement permits conveyor l112 to advance the cartons thereon without acting against the frictional resistance of the shelves 76 which carried the supply of cartons.

It is to be noted that the holding circuits for the respective windings 158 and 160 are independent. As a result, if the respective shelves 76 of the conveyors 72 and 90 are out of alignment with each other, the holding circuit associated with the conveyor carrying the lagging shelves will not be interrupted until this conveyor has caught up with the leading conveyor. Both switches 170 and 172 are located at the same level on the unit.

I connect an empty signal lamp 184 between conductor 124 and a contact 186 adapted to be engaged by the contact arm of switch 132. Referring now to Figure 5, each 6 shelf 76 of conveyor 72 carries pins 188 4adapted to retain an empty switch actuating finger I190 on the shelf'. When a -unit of my machine is loaded with a supply of cartons on each accessible pair of shelves 76 carried by the respective 'conveyors 722 and 90, finger 190 is placed on the pins 188 carried by the uppermost shelf 76 of conveyor 72. As the supplies of cartons are dispensed by conveyor 112, this shelf 76 carrying finger 190 moves downwardly, as viewed in Figures 1 and 3. I mount switch 132 on bracket in a position to be engaged by finger 190 when the shelf 76 carrying the finger 190 moves down under the intiuence `of conveyor 72 after the last carton has been dispensed. Actuation of switch 132 by the iinger moves the contact arm of the switch into engagement with contact 186. This prevents completion of the circuit of delivery `motor l116 and interrupts the circuits of the storage conveyor drive motors 96 and 98. Engagement of the contact arm of switch 132 with Vcontact 186 also completes the circuit of empty signal light 184 to inform the customer that the supply of merchan- 'dise in the unit is exhausted.

In operation of my improved cartoned merchandise vending machine, Ya customer desiring to purchase merchandise deposits a sum in coins aggregating the purchase -price in a coin register 32 through a slot 30. If the 'correct sum has been deposited, register 32 momentarily completes the circuit of winding 136 to close the associated switches 138 and 140. Switch 140 completes a holding circuit for winding V136 through the reset switch 142. Switch 138 completes the circuit of delivery conveyor drive motor 116. Motor V116 advances conveyor 112 in the direction o'f the arrow in Figure 2 to deliver a carton to tray 20. In passing to the tray the carton actuates switch 142 to interrupt the holding circuit of winding 136 yto interrupt the circuit 'of drive 'motor 116.

'It is to be noted that when a fresh supply of cartons is ldeposited on conveyor 112, the carton furthest forward is very near the forward end of the conveyor. In order that it be dispensed, only a short movement of the conveyor is necessary. At the same time, this short movement of the conveyor moves the next carton a suicient distance to hold arms 152 and 154. Thus, the second and all succeeding cartons of a supply are back a distance from the forward end of the delivery conveyor before being dispensed. This aids in preventing a dishonest customer from tilting the machine to obtain a carton of merchandise without payment.

When the supply of cartons carried by the delivery conveyor is exhausted, arms 152 and 154 move to a position where contact arms 148 engage contacts 150. The circuits of motors 96 and 98 are completed to drive conveyors 72 and 90 .in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 3 to deposit a fresh supply of cartons on conveyor 112. The holding circuits of windings 158 and 160 also are completed. When the new supply is deposited on the conveyor, it actuates arms 152 and 154 to disengage contact arms 148 from contacts 150. This action does not affect the holding circuits of windings 158 and 160, with the result that the circuits of motors 96 and 98 remain complete, When the shelves 76 which carried the supply of cartons deposited on conveyor 112 have traveled a predetermined distance below the upper surface o-f conveyor 112, shelves 76 carried by the respective conveyors 72 and 90 actuate arms 182 to interrupt the holding circuits of windings 158 and 150 to permit the circuits of motors 96 and 98 to open. This ensures that conveyor 112 Will not have to work against a fr-ictional resistance in sliding cartons along the shelves 76 in dispensing. tlf there is any misalignment of the shelves carried by the respective conveyors 72 land 90, it will be corrected at this time.

When the supplies of cartons carried by the pairs of shelves 76 all are exhausted, finger 190 actuates switch 132 to interrupt the circuits of storage conveyor drive motors 96 and 98 and to prevent completion 'of the cir- 7 cuit of delivery motor 116. At the same time, the circuit of lamp 184 is complete.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided a machine for vending cartoned merchandise. My machine is especially adapted to dispense cartons of fragile merchandise, such as eggs in cartons, without damaging the merchandise in delivery. It has a large capacity. My machine is simple in construction and certain in operation.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope =of my claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a merchandising machine for dispensing merchandise in cartons having a delivery conveyor and a storage conveyor, a control circuit including a source of electrical energy, a drive motor for the storage conveyor, a replenishing switch, means responsive to the actuation of said replenishing switch for connecting said motor to said source of electrical energy, means responsive to the absence of cartons on said delivery conveyor for actuating said replenishing switch, means including a carry-over switch for maintaining the circuit of said motor after it has been completed, and means responsive to the movement of said storage conveyor for actuating said carryover switch to interrupt said motor circuit.

2. In a merchandising machine for dispensing merchandise in cartons having a delivery conveyor and a pair of storage conveyors, a control circuit including a source of electrical energy, respective drive motors for said storage conveyors, respective replenishing switches, respective means responsive to the actuation of said replenishing switches for connecting said motors to said source, means responsive to the absence `of cartons on said delivery oonveyor for actuating said replenishing switches, respective means each including a carry-over switch for maintaining the circuits of said motors, and respective means responsive to movement of the respective conveyors for actuating said carry-over switch to interrupt said motor circuits.

3. A machine for dispensing articles of merchandise including in combination a pair of spaced upright storage conveyors adapted to support between them respective supplies of articles of merchandise, a delivery conveyor having a horizontally transportable surface disposed between said storage conveyors adjacent the bottoms thereof for receiving and supporting supplies of articles of merchandise from said storage conveyors, means for driving said delivery conveyor to dispense an article of merchandise, drive means for said storage conveyors and means responsive to the absence of articles on said delivery conveyor supporting surface for energizing the storage conveyor drive means, said storage conveyor drive means comprising means for driving said storage conveyors a predetermined distance after a supply of articles has been deposited on the delivery conveyor by the storage conveyors.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,103 Newcomer Apr. 26, 1949 1,824,441 Miller Sept. 22, 1931 2,034,517 Keith Mar. 17, 1936 2,273,479 Wahl Feb. 17, 1942 2,438,502 Holt Mar. 30, 1948 2,477,239 Cease July 26, 1949 2,585,011 Johnson Feb. 12, 1952 2,585,012 `Johnson Feb. l2, 1952 2,632,681 Newcomer Mar. 24, 1953 2,644,734 Gabrielsen July 7, 1953 2,735,578 Woodruff Feb. 21, 1956 2,785,828 Patzer Mar. 19, 1957 2,877,924 Childers et al. Mar. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 121,161 Sweden of 1948 

